Author's Note: This is part two to the fic I posted the other day. Enjoy! x-------------------------------------------------------

Barely a half hour had passed before a soft knocking came on the door. Julian strolled across the parlor and opened it. Noel peeked up at him through his fringe, not quite making eye contact.

"Hey Ju," he said quietly, walking into the flat.

Mike got up and took a few steps toward Noel, "Noel, I-"

"Don't," Noel said, "I should be thanking you."

Mike shook his head, "I shouldn't have yelled at you," he held out his arms for a hug.Noel wrapped his arms around his little brother, holding him close, "'m sorry," he murmured, closing his eyes. Mike didn't want to let go.

"That's what I like to see," Julian said, smiling, "shall I put the kettle on?"

"Please," Noel said, finally letting go of Mike to take a seat on the couch.

"The mugs are in the cabinet on the right of the sink," Mike said, sitting down next to Noel.

Julian nodded and walked into the kitchen. Noel looked at Mike, half-smiling, "I thought you didn't care for Julian."

"I dunno how it happened. We were talking about you, and now I understand what you see in him," Mike scooted closer to Noel to rest his head on his arm, "he really loves you, Noel."

Noel put his arm around Mike, "I know he does," he said, sighing.

"Do you love him?"

Noel was thoughtful for a moment before he spoke, "not sure if there's a word for how I feel about Ju. Love is definitely a part of it though."

"Hey, Noel?" Miked asked, looking up at his brother.

"Hm?"

"Are you going to stop hurting yourself? Julian and I are really worried about you," Mike said softly, "I mean, I won't force you to do anything," he added quickly.

Noel finally made eye contact with Mike. His cerulean eyes were dull, tired and rimmed with dark circles and smudged kohl. He looked frail and exhausted; totally unlike the Noel that Mike knew and loved, "I'm going to try," he said, glancing over to Julian who'd just walked into the room with tea.

"Noel," he handed a cup to him, "more sugar than tea, right?"

"You're a diamond, Ju," Noel smiled, taking the mug and putting it down on the table.

"And, Mike," Julian handed another mug to Mike, before putting his own cup down on the table, "I put cream and sugar in it. I hope that's okay."

"It's perfect, cheers," Mike took the cup.

Julian sat on the other side of Noel, who automatically let go of Mike to curl up next to the larger man, "I couldn't help but overhear that you're going to try and get clean," Julian put his arm around Noel, "I have the guest room at my flat if you'd be interested. It'll be easier if you're away from temptation. Just temporarily."

"Of course," Julian brushed Noel's fringe out of his face, "you're welcome to stay as long as you need to."

"Can I stay with you tonight?" Noel's eyes were brimming with tears.

"We'd have to stop at your place to get some of your things," Julian wiped a tear from Noel's cheek with his thumb, "but I don't see why you couldn't crash with me tonight."

"I love you," Noel tilted Julian's face down so he could kiss him.

Mike chewed his lip; the entire situation was well awkward. He felt like a third wheel in a weird way. It didn't bother him that Noel was kissing Julian in the least, but he still wanted to get out of the situation. So he cleared his throat, "I hate to be a horrible host, but I kind of have some errands to run."

"Oh, Mike," Noel jumped, "I'm sorry. I, er, I..."

"Forgot I was here?" Mike smirked, "I figured."

"Sorry little brother," Noel ruffled Mike's hair.

"We should probably get going anyway," Julian got up, "it's getting late and Noel still needs stuff at his flat."

Noel nodded, "see you soon, yeah?" he stood up, pulling Mike up so he could hug him, "I love you."

"Anytime," Julian gave Mike one last squeeze before following Noel out of the apartment.

When they were gone, Mike sat back down and sighed happily. He knew Noel was going to be okay because Julian would look after him. Propping his legs up on the table, Mike finally relaxed for the first time in months. Everything was going to be fine, he thought, thanks to Julian.

* * *

"Your hands are freezing," Julian complained playfully when Noel grabbed his hand once they left Mike's flat.

"You say that every time I hold your hand, you berk," Noel laughed, "I don't see you letting go though."

"I'm afraid if I let go, your fingers will get frostbite and fall off."

"Nice excuse," Noel walked close to Julian, brushing up against him every chance he got, "I really don't need to go to my flat. Can I just nick a pair of your pajama trousers for tonight?"

"We'll have to go in the morning then. You're not stealing all my clothes," Julian laced his fingers with Noel's.

"Deal," Noel grinned, "but we'll see about stealing your clothes. I might have a go at your closet. I bet you have some genius jumpers."

"I'm glad you're already making yourself at home," Julian chuckled, reaching into his pocket for his key as they walked up the steps to his flat. He unlocked the door and Noel strolled in, looking around. Julian shut the door, watching Noel disappear down the hall to where the bedrooms were.

After a moment of silence, Noel screamed, "Ju!"

Julian ran down the hallway and looked in the guest room, Noel jumped him, "what is it, little man?"

"I'm not staying in there," he whined, clinging to Julian.

"Why not?" Julian tried to see what was wrong with the room.

"There was a spider," he said sheepishly, looking up at him, "can I stay in your room?"

"You want to stay in my room because of a spider?" Julian raised an eyebrow.

"Please?" Noel looked like he wanted to cry, "I really don't like spiders."

"They don't eat much," Julian said, stroking the small of Noel's back with his thumb, "you'll be fine," he was trying to get a rise out of Noel, even though he knew that Noel would end up in his bed no matter what he said.

"But they're shifty little creatures. What if it crawls on me?"

"Make friends with it," Julian suggested.

"I don't trust nothing with more than two eyes," Noel frowned, "and if you make me stay in there, I'll just sneak into your room anyway."

"I have a perfectly good couch if you're frightened of a little spider," Julian was just being cheeky this point.

"I thought you loved me."

Julian sighed, smiling, "you can stay in my room tonight. But don't make it a habit."

"I promise I'll behave," Noel winked.

"Winking makes your lie much more obvious," Julian pulled Noel closer, "or at least I hope that was a lie."

"Maybe it was," Noel pressed a kiss on Julian's neck, "do you want me to behave?"

"Not particularly," Julian murmured, moving his hands a bit lower so he could grope Noel's arse.